Ankvab thwarts Russia's plans to bring North Caucasus republics to the Black Sea

20/07/2012 11:17

Russia's plans for greater integration of occupied Abkhazia into Russia may not come true. Multibillion-dollar project that was supposed to link the North Caucasus republics and Abkhazia into a single economic space, and which was personally lobbied by Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, may be disrupted. It concerned construction of the road Cherkessk-Sukhumi, which was supposed to pass through the military Sukhumi road and connect the North Caucasus republics to the Black Sea. The length of the said road is 140 km in the Republic of Karachai-Cherkessia, and another 132 kilometres - in Abkhazia.

Yesterday the leader of the puppet regime of Abkhazia Alexander Ankvab spoke against the above-mentioned project. He noted that this project had not been coordinated with him and knew no more about it than journalists. Nevertheless, he said that he strongly believed that the construction of this road would destroy unique ecology of the Kodori Gorge.

"I, as a citizen and head of the republic, am against the project, especially since the Kodori Gorge is a unique natural monument for us. We must keep it intact. That is my firm conviction, "- said Ankvab.

For environmental reasons, Ankvab also opposed construction of deepwater ports and yacht clubs in Abkhazia, noting that "implementation of such projects should be treated with extreme caution."

"The Black Sea in the Abkhazian section is very specific, and any improper human intervention will lead to very bad consequences, - he continued. -The leadership of Abkhazia will not allow anyone to initiate projects that will harm the environment. Our environmentalists are people of principle, and they will never agree to such projects, even if we try to force them, but then we will not do this".

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